Kate,

Perhaps we ought to post a photo or a link to the pattern again? As you say, it wasn't my personal favorite when I first saw it either, but when I did my blocks (especially in the lovely colors you requested) I thought it magnificient. So, obviously, I'd be thrilled to win, but if I don't, well, that's okay, too.

In fact, I have so many half-square triangles from my blue & white quilt left over, I didn't have to cut much of anything (just a little trimming here and there). And now I may just use my leftover scraps to make a pieced backing for hubby's b&w quilt. I have time to get that together before my friend quilts it (we're about #13 in line behind the others she needs to do).

I'm so happy to be a part of this!

Odessa

OK - good idea.

Here's the very simple block:

And here's the way it looks as a scrappy quilt:

Calliope picked the colors and requested jewel tones for the big squares, dark colors for the rectangles on the sides and white on white for the small corner pieces. In one evening I did 3 blocks so you know it's an easy one! I used red, blue and purple for the big squares and black (left over from another lotto) on the sides.

Kate

Here is a other picture - this is very fast to make and demonstrates the star sashing technique.

Here is a link that might be useful: Picture from

Credit for picture - should read ~ From the book "The Quilting Bible"

Thanks ladies for bringing this up for consideration again. We see participation in the monthly lotto wax and wane through the year, and I suspect it not only has to do with what pattern is offered, but by how busy everyone is with their everyday lives.

Many of the forums are really, really slow lately because of people taking holiday, and just being outside working gardens or enjoying their children being off from school. There are a lot of other participatory projects going on here in the quilting forum too. I know what little time I had in my sewing room was dedicated to finishing my black/white project.

I also suspect when the month starts out slowly and there are few blocks to be won, that it influences who decides to spend their time and postage on the effort. You can easily have several dollars invested in postage in addition to the time and cost of your material, and it would be nice to have a chance to win enough blocks to actually have sufficient quantities of them to do something with.

This should always be a fun project, and I'd hate to think anyone felt any sort of obligation to submit articles. I have participated for quite awhile now, my first one being the Brasstown Star way back when Vicky was coordinating the lotto. I am sure my first efforts were really clumsy but forcing myself to do two or three blocks whether I liked the pattern or not has really helped me learn and has resulted in at least five projects using patterns from the lottos I'd have never considered, had I not done them.

Included in those are two log cabin pillow covers, a Brasstown Star quilt, a double nine patch quilt, a Tessle Kitty table runner, and a paper pieced teacup and card trick kitchen mat.

Because of the lotto blocks I've made so far, I have plans for several more quilts, after having discovered how beautifully the patterns are when completed. One of those is the pineapple pattern Woodenzoo hosted.

All the participants so far have been truly a joy to work with and an inspiration to improve my skills.

I contribute every month, and temporarily took over hostessing it just to keep the lotto going. Hopefully, I expect it to pick up a bit come fall and winter. I'd hate to see it implode from lack of interest but that's entirely up to where everyone else wants to go with it.

Oh my gosh, there's only one week left to this month! I am on pins and needles waiting this time to find out who will win these blocks! It almost feels like Christmas is right around the corner ... I can almost taste it!

I don't know if I can contain my excitement! Will I win? Are they beautiful? Do the colors work together well? If I get them, how will I use them? Will I even be able to use them? Will I need to make more? What will they look like all put together?

Oh, I just can't wait! I have almost no fingernails left now because I am so excited! Hurry, hurry, hurry, September 1st, and get here to put me out of my misery!

Odessa

No No No! I think I'm going to win this month!!! LOL
It is funny because there are times I REALLY hope I'll win and other times when I hope I don't because I don't know what I would do with the blocks. This time, I do know and I want them! But they were so easy to do that even if I don't, I think I'll whip up a few for a lap quilt anyway. I can see this quilt done in so many ways, including batiks, 30's repro fabrics, homespun, etc. This list is almost endless.

Here's an idea I've had since making these Morning Star blocks. Tell me if this sounds like it will work:
My CEO here at Goodwill is retiring next year and I've really liked working for him; I want to do something special that will remind him of all the good he has done here. His plan after retirement is to spend lots of time traveling with his wife in their RV so a cozy quilt for the RV seems appropriate. He almost always wears Hawaiian print shirts on Fridays, but does the executive thing during the week. I'm thinking of using a variety of Hawaiian prints for the big block, black for the sashing and white, pale yellow, and pale blue from men's dress shirts for the stars. I'll probably purchase the solid sashing fabric so it's all the same, but the print and dress shirts will all come from our Goodwill stores. I think I can get from four to six 9x9 blocks from each print shirt and 2 or 3 of the dress shirts should supply all the star points I need. Since the top will be so inexpensive (under $30) I may splurge and back it with Minky. What do you think?

Kate

Sorry,
Answered that last one from my co-workers laptop. That's what I get for playing on the internet when we are supposed to be paying attention in a seminar. I'll stick to my ipod from now on, although typing on her laptop is easier!

Kate

Bunrab, I think that's a splendid idea! And, if you have other co-workers who may want to wish him well, you could always have them all sign their names in the squares for the stars. Sort of an autograph/retirement/have-a-great-time-in-your-next-venture-but-don't-forget-us kind of thing.

And I'll send you a photo of MY quilt with the blocks I am going to win on the lotto (lol)!

Odessa

That would be a cool addition! This could easily be used as a signature quilt. Thanks for the suggestion! I've already talked Bunny into helping and another friend at work who quilts but doesn't visit the forum.

I'd recommend ironing a square of freezer paper to the reverse side of the blocks you want to use for signatures. That will give the material more stability for them (AND you can draw a straight line on the dull side of the freezer paper with a sharpie pen to use as a guide for people who would prefer that).

I think it would be a terrific way to honor your boss.

Good luck!

Odessa